Photo of the Week

tenthingstuesday

Ten Things I've Been Putting Off:

1. Putting away the girls summer clothes and getting out the winter ones, seeing what fits, then what they need, and then dealing with the stuff to give away.
2. Exercising, as usual.
3. Teaching Julian how to cook and prepare more foods.
4. Reading those books on my nightstand.
5. Praying regularly.
6. Hanging some kind of curtain/window dressing in Julian's room (we moved in 2 yrs ago). HE even asked me about it!
7. Painting over the smudges and handprints in the stairway.
8. Planting bulbs for the spring.
9.
10.

Monday Musings

You’ve won $100,000 – but have to give it all away. To which charity or institution would you donate it? There are SO many amazing charities out there... but I would pick one that had no political affiliation and one that was really really small and local. I would want to become a part of it and see what kind of impact the money had on the group it was helping.

What do you think is the most soothing sound? Water sounds: ocean, babbling brook, rushing river, etc. And also sleeping baby sounds.

Does time heal all wounds? If I let it, yes. I always thought that when I refused to forgive someone who had hurt me, it was as if I had the power by withholding my forgiveness to them. They were in jail and I had the key. But in truth, it's opposite: I'm the one who's locked up and imprisoned by my own bitterness. The other person is out, running free and living their life while I'm inside just waiting and waiting and waiting for them to come by and say "Sorry". If they never do, I've definately been the one in jail.

The Wonderful World of Wii

We got a game system called "Wii" (pronounced "Wee"). I'm sure some of you haven't heard of it, so here's a quick tutorial: it's an interactive, wireless game system that has swept the nation off its feet. Or actually ON its feet!! I think we got the very last one in stock in Everett, Washington as a matter of fact.

It's different than an X-Box or a Playstation because the controllers are wireless and require you to physically perform. For example, when you play Bowling, you actually pull your arm back and then forward as hard as you can. And in Boxing you hold the controller in your hands and throw the punches into the air. Baseball you swing the controller like a bat. Etc.

It is really super cool and totally family-friendly. No hardcore music in the background, but either elevator or lounge music. The graphics are cartoon-like and simple, reminiscent of the ol' Atari days. You don't have to be a Gaming Addict to understand how to play these either, so Claire and Audrey can join in without feeling overwhelmed or confused by the hi-tech graphics and complicated instructions.

They even have a spot where you can create a "Mii" (pronounced "Me") that can be a silly character or one with your same hair and eye color to play in the games. Too cute I think.

As the kids (this includes Christopher) were playing, I started thinking of some Wii-isms:

1. When they are playing I can call them Wii-ners.

2. The tennis game could have been called Wiimbledon.

3. When the game is over, someone can shout "I Wii-n! I Wii-n!"

4.

5.

Help me come up with some other good ones, will ya?

Do over

I posted this video a while ago when I first learned how to use the movie-making program and when we first got our camera.

I wanted to do it over and use some of the cool features. Hope you enjoy it the second time 'round (Grandpa Jim you are excused and may go read the paper)

sigh.

Monday Musings

If you could enter a racehorse in the Kentucky Derby, what would you name your horse?
Hot Fudge (think he'd win?)
What famous person, whom many people find attractive, is most unappealing to you?
Angelina Jolie (And no, it's not because I'm jealous of her plump lips, thin hips, and millions of dollars. She just bothers me.)
Which foreign country are you least interested in visiting?
Definately any war-torn country. It would be more than I could bear to see displaced communities of people, parents mourning the deaths of their children, and children mourning the deaths of their parents.

Broken Toe, Broken Heart

Julian broke his toe (a mini-fracture) a couple of weeks ago and has missed his first few soccer games. He was very upset about this happening, but the doc said by the end of September he should be able to get back in the game. As long as it heals well. It's so strange how such a tiny injury (look at your hand on the mouse and find the smallest wrinkle somewhere...that's how teensy this "break" was) can cause so much pain, and heartache to boot.
Last year at school, Julian played soccer every single day at recess, and gained an amazing amount of skill. During the summer he'd get all the kids together and have a start-up game in the cul-de-sac. His assertiveness during play was impressive, as well as his tricky footwork. We ALL couldn't wait for him to play this year on a competitive team!!
A week into the season, we were tickling/wrestling on the couch and he flipped off, injuring the toe.
What I am so proud of him for is that he has gone to all the practices and games despite being benched. He wants to be a part of the team, and not "miss anything" for when the time comes that he can get in the game. What a great spirit to have! What dedication! What optimism!
That's the boy we love.

Bend it Like Claire

Monday Musings

If you could "un-invent" one thing in the world so that it would no longer exist, what would you choose? All things that are classified (or should be) above an R-rating...you know what I'm talkin about

Monday morning you usually waking up thinking: I need coffee right now

Do you find it easy to ask for help? Why or why not? It doesn't come naturally at ALL to ask for help. Sometimes it's a pride thing where I want to be SuperGirl and do it all myself and hog all the glory, while other times I don't ask because I feel bad burdening the other person with whatever it is.

tenthingstuesday

Ten Things I Do When I Have Nothing Else To Do:

1. Check and comment on Julie's blog
2. Lurk at Suzanne's blog; think about sewing as a Secret Underground Club
3. Check Nancy's blog and ponder her amazing ability to plan a trip down to the minutia
4. Go to Seth's blog. Try to figger out what triggered him to write about these topics (i.e. Cover your mouth when you yawn)
5. Check Melissa's blog and smile as I enlarge the cute/funny pictures of her kids
6. Get a snack
7. Make tea
8. Take tea and snack back to computer to work on my blog. I've gotten inspired from everyone else's fabulous and creative work!!
9. Start making a new movie on Windows Movie Maker program
10. Paint my nails

Dance Fever

A video that makes complete Momsense

Turn your sound on and get ready quick 'cause she starts going at 100 mph!

Audrey's 3rd Birthday...

Photos of the Week

Julian took these with Christopher's phone... we think he has quite an eye for what makes an interesting picture.

Monday Musings

What is one thing that you wanted to do this summer but didn't?
I wanted to take a lot more exercise walks, but it never happened. I'm sure I was too busy eating to go!
If you lived a hundred years ago, what job would you've had?
I could see myself stepping into the shoes of Ma Ingalls...except I would still want a pedicure every now and then.
What are some of the most persistent and challenging obstacles in your everyday life?
Trying to "be the adult" in situations with the kids. I often feel like I'm right in there saying "Nu-uh! Yu-huh!" just like they do.
Also trying to remember the big picture in things; my overall goal is to be peaceful, to live at peace, and to bring joy to the family.

tenthingstuesday

Ten wierd facts about us:



1. We have a song we sing whenever the kids are caught disrobed, called "Naked Girl/Boy". It has a country-western, square-dancy flair. The little ones love it and use it as an excuse to dance around in the birthday suit. The older ones, nooooooooooooot so much funny.

2. We like to smell the insides of new and old books.

3. Two of us are a little obsessive about wearing socks/slippers when it's cold.

4. When Audrey laughs really hard, her nostrils flare in and out quickly.

5. Julian always goes to the bathroom about 10 minutes after starting each meal. We always say, "Well, you know what they say: A little bit in, and a little bit out!"

6. We are popcornaholics.

7. I often find a pile of toenail clippings on the arm of the couch (the culprit shall remain unnamed)

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